coffeencream

[coffeencream]

Somewhere beyond the sea- a review

So, about a year and a half ago, I read a little book called the house in the cerulean sea. It quickly became one of my favorite stories of all time, somehow possessing the cutest characters, most organic romance, relevant social themes, and truly gorgeous writing. What’s more, I had the honor of seeing author TJ Klune speak at my local library recently, and he was just as lovely as I had guessed he would be.

Needless to say, I had high expectations for the sequel and… that was my bad. I think expecting the same feelings from this second installment hindered my ability to enjoy it for what it was. I found the book a bit lacking in cohesion- the first 100ish pages felt like it should’ve been an ending to book 1. Arthur’s hearing and Linus’ proposal were both powerful moments, but felt out of place at the beginning of a story. The middle was more or less a 200 page skirmish between the main cast and various evil bureaucrats. Personally, I think it got old pretty quickly, but it’s helpful to remember that Klune is technically a children’s author, and the silly shenanigans are maybe not there for me but for an eight year old. I will say: the ending was spectacular. I love queen Zoe with all my heart, and I’m a sucker for a wedding scene. Plus, that little “don’t you wish you were here” callback made me grin like an idiot.

Overall, I admire Klune’s commitment to using this sequel as a way of extending a (albeit a bit heavy handed/ on the nose) message of joy and hope directly to the trans community in a moment where it is greatly needed. I hope every day for my queer siblings to feel as safe as the residents of Marsyas. As a work of fiction on its own, I don’t know how well somewhere beyond the sea holds up, but as a sequel, it is a solid addition to the canon with some very sweet moments. I think somewhere out there is a young kid who really needs this book right now, and for that I am glad it exists. Hope is the thing with feathers! Keep fighting my loves!

3.3/5

[coffeencream]

she’s still my best friend

even though we haven’t been in the same room for years, even though i don’t know if i know her anymore.

we just caught up for the first time in a while.

we talk of crushes and college coursework now,

we used to talk of mermaids and legos.

I still think her old family house would feel like home if I could step over the threshold.

I hope she remembers our good times more than our bad.

I’m so lucky she texts me when I forget.

i’m so lucky she’s in my life.

I met this girl when i was three

I don’t know life without her, and i hope i never do.

[coffeencream]

having a crush in 2025 is crazy because it’s like yeah just about everything that can be going wrong right now is going wrong but. i’m also kicking my feet and giggling

[coffeencream]

cranking out 3-noters like it's nothing i OWN this damn 'site

[coffeencream]

im on season 2 and this is what I've gathered so far

[coffeencream]

trying to beat the lesbian stereotypes but my best friend’s a dude, i have a crush on a straight girl, and today i raced down three flights of stairs to get a picture of the sunset

[coffeencream]

now that trump has tiktok, twitter, facebook and insta in his pocket, get ready for a massive wave of internet censorship. one of trump's greatest weapons has always been misinformation; it's going to become harder and harder to spread facts and criticism going forward. posts that aren't made invisible will be magically ignored by the algorithm. dissidents will have their accounts deleted and voices erased.

this is a suppression tactic. this is another stage of fascism.

[coffeencream]

I can't believe the horse is back in the fucking hospital

[coffeencream]

babe what are you doing. no i don't care if you have a job. you need to be on dash talking about my chemical romance. yes this is important

[coffeencream]

i mean this in the meanest way possible, if you as a leftist, in an attempt to 'punish' the democrats, either didn't vote or voted for a third party, go fuck yourself. you chose your own self righteousness over actually doing good.

[coffeencream]

How Lou, Erika and Danielle managed to have three completely different, equally hard-hitting takes on grief, with no fucking prep? Secrets only the Sith know

[coffeencream]

If I had a nickel for every time an innocuous bit in one of Aabria’s seasons turned into a heartbreaking and pivotal plot point….

[coffeencream]

Ally’s shit eating grin after Rekha said “that’s cocked” gave me so much life bc you could tell how hard they were trying not to spoil FHJY

[coffeencream]

Review + retrospective: Funny Story by Emily Henry

Oh that new book I picked up? It’s a funny story…Another summer another EmHen book binge! Having now read 4 out of her 5 releases, I can say this newest one falls solidly in the middle of the pack.

Things I loved:

1. Costal Michigan scenery- beautiful descriptions of the beach!

2. Daphne’s relationship with her mom- made me tear up. My favorite line is Holly’s, “I’m a cynic. And a cynic is just a romantic who’s too scared to hope.”

3. Chaotic cast of peripheral characters. From MMC’s little sister to the eccentric shop owners around town, EmHen really knows how to write a whole world of people, and include so much beautiful diversity! I know it’s corny, but I still smile when I read things like “that kid’s dads” or “she and her wife” 🥹

Things I didn’t love:

1. Too many mentions of “heat”. Emily please get another word for horny.

2. Daddy issues. Toooooo much. I totally get what she was going for with the storyline of a deadbeat dad, but the heavy focus on it throughout the second act really made this romance novel feel quite Freudian- I was very uncomfortable.

3. Third act breakup and miscommunication- my least favorite romance tropes. They served their purpose, sure, but made me stop rooting for Miles. In the time they were apart, Daphne got back in contact with her mom, made up with her best friend, and was thriving at work. I was like “oh, maybe she’ll move to Maryland with her mom after all! she’s doing so well!” Whatever excuses Daphne found acceptable for Miles running to see Petra, I didn’t. I thought it sounded like bs and he would do the same thing again in a heartbeat. But hey, what do I know?

Overall: entertaining, classic EmHen. Characters weren’t as compelling as Book Lovers or Happy Place, but I had a good time. Loved that the end of the book was pleasantly open-ended while still fulfilling the “happily ever after” required of a romance.

3.25/5

[coffeencream]

make some noise got UPGRADED

every prompt felt like a movie. Literally not a single one without involvement from at least two noise boys- and Sam and Paul are actors now too ?!? Insanity. give them the Emmy.

[coffeencream]

i was so deep in gay bridgerton internet that i forgot homophobia existed until i went through its instagram

[coffeencream]

I need to come to tumblr and be in my refuge of queers because oh boy. what a day to be a lesbian in the Bridgerton fandom

We find out we’re likely getting some WLW rep in a future season only for the fandom to throw backlash like CRAZY- I think I forgot that this show appeals to a largely straight female audience who doesn’t like it when things aren’t for them.

It makes me regret not showing a larger display of empathy for the Black people hurt by the backlash following live action Ariel’s casting. In both situations it’s a matter of adapting a story in a way that showcases more diverse characters and allows a wider audience to connect with them, and in both cases the most disgusting fans reveal themselves.

I actually saw a comment on Instagram reading ���We’ve already had a lot of LGBT+ rep in this show! We need Michael Sterling!” and i was like??? huh?? a lot?? one character had a threesome and that’s a lot??? Imagine applying the same logic to the show’s straight couples 😭

Anyways. Happy pride. If there’s anyone feeling similarly I hope you’re alright